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My mission is something that I will hold close to my heart. This has been the best time of my entire life. In December of 2015 Elder Carlos Godoy of the 70 paid the Peru Piura Mission a visit. During that time I was still a new missionary, in my training, and struggling with all of the adjustments. Well, Elder Godoy called me in for an interview that day. We talked, and in conclusion he asked me if there was anything he could do for me in my mission. I thought, "What do I ask a general authority to do for me?" I said the first thing that came to mind, I asked him for his number one advice. I remember his eyes dropped for a split second and then met mine, "Find yourself," he said. So time went on and months passed by. I found myself going through one of the hardest times of my mission. A zone leader, looking to help, gave me one of his talks to read. In that talk, these words jumped off the page and slapped me in the face: "Do you see that only in losing yourself, may you find yourself; only by enriching others, may you be enriched; only by giving, may you receive: only in surrendering, may you become free?" My mind immediately flashed back to that interview with Elder Godoy and those words "find yourself" rang loud in my ears.
Hermana Ingram find yourself!
Mark 8:35 says, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it"
I've truly found myself. I've realized that only as I look outside of myself, getting lost in the service of others, will I reach my potential. Only spreading sunshine into others lives will I feel that same sunshine in my own life. I know who I am now. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life. "
I love this mission. I love these people. I love la Piura Vida.
I know that this is Christ's church upon the earth and that it was restored in its completeness by a prophet of God, Joseph Smith. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that as we strive to study it each and every day the spirit fills our lives and we become better, stronger, more faithful sons and daughters of God. I know that Christ lives, His Atonement is real. I know that repentance is not just an event but a process and that it is truly a blessing. I know that each prayer offered is a prayer heard. I know that as we learn to align our will with that of God's our lives will turn out to be something we could have never imagined. I feel so content and happy with my mission, it has blessed my life in ways without number.
And so, for the last time,
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Ingram
I'M SO EXCITED FOR HUGS!!!
(I'll send pics when I'm home. I'm out of time)
